His name may sound South African, but Kyle Coetzer was, in fact, born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Coetzer became part of Scotland's set-up when he played in the European Under-15 Championship in 1999, and has forged a solid county career with Durham and Northamptonshire.

Starting the summer by hitting his maiden first-class hundred, 153 not out from just 150 balls against Durham UCCE, Coetzer enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2007, playing a key role in Durham's success. He finished the season with an average of 38 as Durham finished second in the County Championship, and a fresh-faced batsman in an experienced dressing room he also struck a 74-ball 61 against Hampshire at Lord's as Durham secured their first ever silverware in the Friends Provident Trophy.
However, Coetzer proved unable to fulfil his early promise at Durham. In 2011, a move to Northants - initially on loan - rejuvenated him, and he emerged as an important member of their side.

Coetzer also established himself as a crucial member of the Scotland top order. He was Scotland's leading run scorer at the 2009 World Twenty20, with 75 runs at 37.50 against New Zealand and South Africa. In 2013 he registered his maiden ODI century, 133, against Afghanistan.

Coetzer became Scotland's captain in 2013, but he lost the role to Preston Mommsen, who stood in when Coetzer was injured during Scotland's successful qualifying campaign for the 2015 World Cup and who kept the role on their preparation tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014. If Coetzer was disappointed he did not let it show. He scored 333 runs at 55.50 apiece on the World Cup acclimatisation tour, the highest tally of any player from the four World Cup qualifiers, and was named as Mommsen's vice-captain in Scotland's World Cup squad.